A. Member Opportunities
- 4-H members "Learn by Doing".
- Young people, with guidance from adults, learn useful life skills to communicate with others and serve their community by practicing these skills in real-life situations.
- Participation in the activities of a 4-H club is educational and fun.
- The activities teach social and vocational skills, cooperation, parliamentary procedure and other valuable interactive relationships.
Members learn by taking part in various ways:
1. Club Opportunities
- Project Work: Projects help members gain knowledge and a variety skills useful throughout their lives.
- Public Presentations: 4-H members give demonstrations, speeches, or illustrated talks, increasing public speaking skills and self confidence.
- Record Keeping: 4-H members write a story and record what they have done in each project. This helps them evaluate their 4-H learning and develops record keeping and organizational skills important throughout life.
- Recreation: 4-H members learn to enhance enjoyment life through recreational activities such as singing, games and other social activities.
- Community Service: A 4-H club can participate in their community and take on a community service activity. Clubs are encouraged to undertake projects which improve their community.
- District and State Contests: 4-H members may participate in club, district, and National contests which expand their perspectives.
- Exhibits: Members may exhibit their 4-H project results at club meetings, local and state fairs, or other community events. Exhibiting 4-H projects shows others what 4-Hers are doing, and gives members a sense of pride and accomplishment.
2. School Enrichment Opportunities
- Numerous 4-H programs are delivered in conjunction with schools as part of special or regular educational projects within the schools.
- These may be short term projects or long term projects that last throughout the school year.
- Participants in these 4-H school enrichment opportunities are regarded as 4-H school members.
3. Alaskan Opportunities
- 4-H Camp: 4-H members may attend a variety of camps and take part in educational and recreational experiences as they learn more about nature and living with others (some camps may be held as part of a school enrichment program).
- Alaska Teen Leadership Sponsored by Alaska 4-H, this teen conference provides high school youth an opportunity to develop leadership skills and interact with youth from throughout Alaska.
- 4-H Exchanges: Exchanges can be arranged with clubs from different districts, other states, and youth from other countries.
- James Matthews Scholarship: The James W. Matthews Extension Volunteer Leadership Development Fund is established as a funding resource for Extension volunteers interested in building leadership credentials.
- Alaska Operation Military Kids: Community collaboration programming for "suddenly military kids" from the National Guard, Reserves, Army and Air Force who have a parent deployed.
- Alaska 4-H Military Programs: 4-H/Army and 4-H/Air Force programming on installations. Programs include 4-H camps for National Guard and military youth, Operation Bug Out youth mock deployment and military 4-H clubs.
4. National and Regional Opportunities
- National Congress: Members over 14 years of age may attend National 4-H Congress. Participants are chosen at the state and district levels. Some scholarships are available at the state, and district levels. This conference occurs in late November in Atlanta, GA.
- National 4-H Conference: A one-week conference held in Washington D.C., for 4-H youth (ages 15-18 years), volunteers and Extension staff. Emphasis is on 4-H program development and public relations.
- Citizenship Washington Focus: A six-day program that helps young people (ages 15-19) gain a greater understanding of citizenship opportunities and learn more about government. This program is held in Washington D.C.
5. International Opportunities
- 4-H LABO Exchange: 4-H members can travel to Japan and live with a Japanese host family for one month or Alaska 4-H families may host Japanese youth for one month. Alaska sends 4-Hers to Japan on even numbered years and receives Japanese youth in odd numbered years.
- Other International Exchange Programs: 4-H members can access a number of youth exchange programs through the National 4-H Council.
B. 4-H Leader Opportunities
- Alaska 4-H Leaders Forum: A conference for volunteer leaders to share ideas, learn up-to-date 4-H project information, and participate in workshops and other activities. The program is focused to meet the needs of Alaska 4-H. This usually occurs in the Spring.
- Western Regional 4-H Leaders Forum: A regional leader training conference includes speakers, workshops, and information on all aspects of 4-H. The four-day forum is held in February or March and the location rotates among 13 western states.
- National Leaders Forum: Various workshops are offered for leaders. In the past, workshops have been offered on Horse Leaders, Communications, Food and Nutrition, Organizational Leadership, Natural Resources, and others. Workshops are frequently held at National 4-H Center. Scholarships may be available.
- 4-H 101: Concise 4-H leadership training for military family member programs.
C. Other Opportunities
- Guide Dog Raising Program: 4-Hers have an opportunity to raise and socially train a guide dog puppy for the blind. It takes approximately one year.
- National 4-H Center Program Assistants: College age 4-H alumni work at National 4-H Center as field trip interpreters and program facilitators. Applications for the three-month experience are available from the State 4-H office.
- National 4-H Center: 4-H and Extension families may stay in the 4-H Center facilities when in Washington D.C. Special rates apply any time of the year when space is available.